Dye then tool??

[JDFred]

I’m building a 3 ring binder and I’m using some cheaper leather that doesn’t burnish well when tooling but accepts dye really well.  I’m worried about my light brown dye turning to dark brown accidentally when dying over the tooled areas, and it might be more controllable on smooth leather. So I had a thought about dying first then tooling.  I tried a test piece last night and the impressions I got seemed to be decent.  I typically use Angelus alcohol dyes with a dauber. For this I was thinking of using a sponge to apply the dye. I’m trying to do a good job on this as it is my first commissioned piece. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you.

[PastorBob]

55 minutes ago, JDFred said:

I’m building a 3 ring binder and I’m using some cheaper leather that doesn’t burnish well when tooling but accepts dye really well.  I’m worried about my light brown dye turning to dark brown accidentally when dying over the tooled areas, and it might be more controllable on smooth leather. So I had a thought about dying first then tooling.  I tried a test piece last night and the impressions I got seemed to be decent.  I typically use Angelus alcohol dyes with a dauber. For this I was thinking of using a sponge to apply the dye. I’m trying to do a good job on this as it is my first commissioned piece. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you.

Well, you started right...with a practice piece.  I have on occasion, forgot to add my Maker's Mark and had to add after dyeing.  It didn't look bad.  I think the result will be the same as the impressions from the tooling will appear darker either way, as the shadows make it look darker.  Which method helps the tooling show up best?

[JDFred]

10 hours ago, PastorBob said:

Well, you started right...with a practice piece.  I have on occasion, forgot to add my Maker's Mark and had to add after dyeing.  It didn't look bad.  I think the result will be the same as the impressions from the tooling will appear darker either way, as the shadows make it look darker.  Which method helps the tooling show up best?

Thank you for the help. I’m going to do some more testing as I got to thinking about using lifters and it may leave a spot that will need touched up and look odd.

[dikman]

Normally it would be tooled first but if you tried it and it worked then there's no reason not to do it that way BUT you may find a few small areas where the dye didn't penetrate deep enough. You might be able to touch them up with a fine paintbrush but there is the chance it will show up.

[JDFred]

21 hours ago, dikman said:

Normally it would be tooled first but if you tried it and it worked then there's no reason not to do it that way BUT you may find a few small areas where the dye didn't penetrate deep enough. You might be able to touch them up with a fine paintbrush but there is the chance it will show up.

That is what I noticed last night when I was using lifter and the basketweave stamp.  I was able to touch the areas up but it started getting darker than I wanted. So I decided to do my tooling first then dye after. Thanks for the response.  I was more curious if it was a cardinal sin of leather work or ok to do.  It seems to maybe be ok in some cases but not real great for reagular use.